Wollongong travel guide

Wollongong is a very attractive place, despite the stark industrial landscapes of Port Kembla to the south, and without doubt its greatest assets are its beaches, its harbour (with its historic lighthouse) and behind that, Flagstaff Point headland and the Wollongong Foreshore Park. Either side of Flagstaff Point over 17 patrolled beaches stretch from the Royal National Park in the north to Bass Point in the south, all providing excellent opportunities for sunbathers, swimmers and surfies. Wollongong serves as the gateway to the Illawarra region, an area renowned for its dramatic coastline and rugged mountain backdrop. It is also the first main stop along the 140-km ‘Grand Pacific Drive’ that encompasses some of the state’s finest and most unspoilt coastline.

In the heart of the city the Wollongong City Gallery (corner of Kembla St and Burelli St, T4228 7500, http://www.wollongongcitygallery.com, Tue-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1200-1600, free), is definitely worth a visit. Considered one of the best and one of the largest regional galleries in NSW, it offers a wide range of media and an exciting programme of local, regional and interstate exhibitions.

For train enthusiasts the Cockatoo Run (T1300 653801, http://www.3801limited.com.au, runs to Robertson every 2nd Sunday of the month and Kiama every 3rd Sunday, from $50, children $40, lunch an extra $25, bookings required), is a scenic mountain railway that climbs through the Illawarra Ranges from Wollongong to Robertson in the Southern Highlands. Extended tours throughout the state are also on offer.

South of the city centre, in the suburb of Berkeley, is Wollongong’s unique attraction, the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple (Berkeley Rd, T4272 0600, www.nan tien.org.au, Tue-Sun 0900-1700, $4, also offers vegetarian lunches for $12 per person). This is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple open to visitors and offers a varied programme of weekend workshops and accommodation. Public transport to the temple is with Premier Illawarra Bus Company (No 34) from Marine Drive.

Wollongong offers some excellent surfing with the best breaks on North Beach, just north of Flagstaff Point, and Bulli Beach, 12 km north of the centre. There are plenty of places to hire equipment.

Find local information at the new VIC (Southern Gateway Centre, Princes Hwy, Bulli Tops, T4267 5910, http://www.southerngatewaycentre.com.au, Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1600, Sun 1000-1600).

The Illawarra Ranges, flanking Wollongong inland, have some excellent viewpoints that are well worth seeing, such as the Mount Keira Lookout in the Illawarra Escarpment State Recreation Area (left on Clive Bissell Road), and the Bulli Lookout (right), both off Highway 1 (Ousley Road), just north of the city. There are numerous fine beaches north of the city. Bulli Beach is perhaps the best, but it is a case of taking your pick, all the way from the city centre to Otford at the southern edge of the Royal National Park.

Another great local attraction just to the south of the city, and beyond Port Kembla, is Lake Illawarra. Essentially a saltwater harbour, sheltered from the ocean by a narrow strip of land, it provides a haven for a wide range of water sports, from sailing to kayaking....read more